The FDA'S Advisory Committee on Immunizations has recommended that pharma titan AstraZeneca's FluMist Quadrivalent (R) vaccine be added to the list of approved influenza vaccines for the 2018-19 flu season.It next goes to the CDC director's desk for final approval.The nasally administered vaccine had been suspended from the list when the CDC's annual data on flu vaccine efficacy did not indicate it was effective enough in children ages 2-17.The vaccine was still available in other countries,however,which had conflicting data on FluMist.*
FluMist is unique among flu vaccines in that it contains a live yet weakened influenza virus.It is also distinguished by its being administered at a prime source of influenza infection:the nostrils,perhaps giving it an immunological advantage.It is intended for use by the 2-49 age group.*
One reason for the relisting recommendation is that the current severe outbreak of flu in the US has taken about a hundred children's lives so far,some of whom may have skipped vaccination out of fear of injections.FluMist would give such persons an alternative.As well,AstraZeneca has been tweaking the vaccine to make it more targeted to the yearly influenza forecast,and the H1N1 strain in particular.*
Astra Zeneca is a multinational biotech and pharmaceutical company with headquarters in Cambridge,England.Its subsidiary MedImmune develops FluMist and the company's other biologics.AstraZeneca focuses its research on the areas of oncology;respiratory and autoimmune disorders;and cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.*
At time of publication,AstraZeneca stock was up 0.19 to 34.20,with a dividend yield of 4.09%.*
AstraZeneca (AZN)
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